Today (25 July) marks World IVF Day and celebrates the birthday of the first IVF baby, Louise Brown, who was born in Greater Manchester in 1978.
The birth of Louise Brown was made possible thanks to the pioneering efforts of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy. Together, they paved the way for over 8 million IVF babies across the world.
Since opening 25 years ago, more than 6,000 babies have been born with the help of the Newcastle Fertility Centre.
Just recently, our fertility centre announced the birth of eight babies born using a ground-breaking IVF technique to reduce transmission of mitochondrial DNA disease, thanks to research led by Newcastle Hospitals and Newcastle University.
Here, we meet some of the team whose commitment and dedication has helped families struggling to conceive.
Meghna Nayak
Role: Speciality doctor in reproductive medicine
Why did you become a doctor? I didn’t know anything else since I was a child. I come from a family full of Doctors and felt like it was in my genes!
What is a typical day at work like? It is never a dull day at work. Every day is different with a mixture of procedures, scans, clinics, specialist clinic and multidisciplinary meeting. I meet lots if people and enjoy helping them in the journey towards parenthood.
What is your favourite part of working at Newcastle Fertility Centre? I am grateful to work in the best unit with the best people and be a part of a journey for the people we help.
Savannah Power
Role: Fertility administration co-ordinator
Why did you become a fertility administration co-ordinator? I like the organisational aspect of the role of an administrative role. I chose this to be within an NHS setting because the administration and reception team provides such a central role within the running of any NHS department. Something that may seem so simple as booking an earlier appointment for a patient or just taking time to listen to a patient’s concerns over the telephone can make a huge difference to their experience.
What is a typical day at work like? There is always lots of variety in my day. A typical day would involve speaking to patients on the telephone or responding to their emails, answering any questions they have about their appointments, checking that the clinics are booked correctly and running smoothly and making sure that the clinical staff have any patient notes that they need. I am also responsible for keeping in touch with patients who have stored their eggs and embryos.
What is your favourite part of working at Newcastle Fertility Centre? My favourite part of working here is that everyone works as part of a team supporting each other to ensure that the patient receives the best care possible.
Beth Matthew
Role: Fertility nurse specialist
Why did you become a nurse? I enjoyed studying biology at school and knew I wanted a job related to this subject. I chose nursing as I wanted to help people and to make a difference in people’s lives.
What is a typical day at work like? I have a busy job with lots of different things each day to do such as explaining fertility treatments to patients, supporting patients throughout their fertility treatment and performing fertility scans and procedures. One of my main roles is to look after the egg donors.
What is your favourite part of working at Newcastle Fertility Centre? I learn something new every day.
Lewis Rayner
Role: Clinical embryologist
What your role is in IVF?
I am a clinical embryologist for Newcastle Fertility Centre
What is a typical day at work life? Varied and busy! It usually starts early, with procedures like fertilisation checks, egg collections and sperm preparations. Throughout the day, we monitor embryo development, perform embryo transfers and procedures like ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), vitrification (freezing) of eggs or embryos, and carry out quality control tasks to ensure the lab environment remains optimal. There’s also regular communication with the wider team and patients, which is key to making sure everything runs smoothly.
What does it mean to be able to offer this treatment to patients? Being able to offer treatment to patients is incredibly meaningful. As a clinical embryologist, I feel privileged to play a part in helping individuals and couples achieve their dream of starting or growing their family.
IVF can be an emotional and challenging journey, and it’s rewarding to know that the work we do in the lab—handling and nurturing embryos with the utmost care—can make such a significant difference in someone’s life. It’s a role that requires both precision and compassion, and I’m proud to support patients through one of the most personal experiences they’ll ever face.
Why did you want to get into this field of work?
My passion for reproductive sciences began during my undergraduate degree, where I was introduced to the complexities of human fertility and early development. It was during this time that I discovered the field of assisted reproduction, and I was immediately drawn to the science and the real-world impact it has on people’s lives. This interest led me to pursue a Master’s in Clinical Embryology, where I deepened my knowledge and practical skills. Being able to combine cutting-edge science with patient care is what makes this profession so fulfilling for me.
